Work continues to solve decades-old triple killing

Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 09:22 AM.

Most days, Greer Police Department detective Dale Arterburn passes by Kevin Holtzclaw, a Greer firefighter, on his way into the office.

It's an almost daily reminder that the deaths of Kevin Holtzclaw's mother, Sylvia, and two others who were shot and killed inside Blue Ridge Savings Bank 10-years-ago today remain unsolved.

At 1 p.m. today, Greer police officers and FBI agents will gather to remember the victims in a ceremony that will also serve as a reminder of law enforcement's continued commitment to the case.

“It's still an active case with us,” Arterburn said. “We don't consider it a cold case. It's heart wrenching to know this unsolved case is still lingering. It's very frustrating.”

At about 1:30 p.m. May 16, 2003, authorities believe that two suspects went into Blue Ridge Savings Bank, 330 E. Frontage Road near Interstate 85.

The Greer Police Department arrived on the scene about 15 minutes later and found the bodies of Sylvia Holtzclaw, the only bank employee on duty, and married customers James “Eb” Barnes, 61, and Margaret Barnes, 58, in a utility room in the back of the bank. All three died of gunshot wounds.

Authorities believe James Barnes, a professor at the University of South Carolina Upstate; Margaret Barnes, an employee of the National Beta Club headquarters in Spartanburg; and Holtzclaw were left in the bank by two suspects who took “very little” cash and hurriedly left the area in a bright red, two-door car, according to the FBI.

After reviewing video surveillance footage from nearby businesses, the Disney Corp. and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement helped enhance the grainy images. Automotive experts identified the car as an Oldsmobile Alero produced between 1999 and 2003.

Hundreds of leads have been followed by law enforcement in an attempt to arrest those responsible, according to the FBI.

The past decade hasn't been easy for Sylvia Holtzclaw's other son, David, but he remains optimistic that the case will be solved. He is hopeful that something will turn up to give law enforcement the missing piece of the puzzle.

“I am still as strong about getting this solved as I was 10 years ago,” he said. “I haven't given up hope. Some ask me if I think it will be solved, and I can't stop believing that it will be solved.”

David Holtzclaw believes the memorial service could help spark someone's memory about that day. He said someone may not realize the information could be key to discovering what happened. When he thinks about how much technology has advanced to spread information over the past 10 years, he can't help but be optimistic.

“Somebody out there knows something, but they may not be in the state because this bank was close to (Interstate) 85,” he said. “That is the great thing about digital. You can get information on line. It takes getting that one piece of information. It might be a small piece to solve it. There are people working hard on this case, but we need information.”

Things always seem a little brighter for David Holtzclaw every time he hears about a cold case being solved.

“There has been some success with cases from 10 and 15 years ago,” he said. “I hope ours doesn't have to go another 5 or 10 years but when I hear about those cases, it puts some pep in your step. If I woke up and said we are not going to solve this, what would I have.”

For David Holtzclaw and the entire family, it has been difficult coping with what happened. He said they realize solving the case will not bring back his mother or James and Margaret Barnes, but he said they deserve it.

“You continue to move on as the years go by, and you learn to almost deal with it,” he said. “You wake up in the morning, and she is still not here. The unsolved part hasn't gone away. Those three people deserve that. They didn't deserve to die and didn't deserve to be taken out of this world, but they at least deserve that (to have the case solved).”

Greer police hope today's ceremony could help jog someone's memory and encourage them to come forward.

“We need some help from the public,” Arterburn said. “I think there is someone out there who has information. They need to call, tell us was information they have and keep this case alive.”

The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at Greer City Park's Amphitheater, 301 E. Poinsett St. It will be moved to Greer First Baptist Church, 202 W. Poinsett St., if it rains.

“Our priority is to support the families, give them some encouragement and honor the victims' lives,” Greer Police Lt. Matt Hamby said of the service. “We also hope it serves as a good reminder to someone that now is definitely the time to come forward with any information that would help us solve this case.”

Anyone with information may call Greer Police Department dispatch at 864-848-2151 (calls are answered 24 hours a day), Greenville CrimeStoppers at 864-232-7463 or the Greenville FBI office at 864-232-3807. A reward is being offered by CrimeStoppers.

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Most days, Greer Police Department detective Dale Arterburn passes by Kevin Holtzclaw, a Greer firefighter, on his way into the office.

It's an almost daily reminder that the deaths of Kevin Holtzclaw's mother, Sylvia, and two others who were shot and killed inside Blue Ridge Savings Bank 10-years-ago today remain unsolved.

At 1 p.m. today, Greer police officers and FBI agents will gather to remember the victims in a ceremony that will also serve as a reminder of law enforcement's continued commitment to the case.

“It's still an active case with us,” Arterburn said. “We don't consider it a cold case. It's heart wrenching to know this unsolved case is still lingering. It's very frustrating.”

At about 1:30 p.m. May 16, 2003, authorities believe that two suspects went into Blue Ridge Savings Bank, 330 E. Frontage Road near Interstate 85.

The Greer Police Department arrived on the scene about 15 minutes later and found the bodies of Sylvia Holtzclaw, the only bank employee on duty, and married customers James “Eb” Barnes, 61, and Margaret Barnes, 58, in a utility room in the back of the bank. All three died of gunshot wounds.

Authorities believe James Barnes, a professor at the University of South Carolina Upstate; Margaret Barnes, an employee of the National Beta Club headquarters in Spartanburg; and Holtzclaw were left in the bank by two suspects who took “very little” cash and hurriedly left the area in a bright red, two-door car, according to the FBI.

After reviewing video surveillance footage from nearby businesses, the Disney Corp. and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement helped enhance the grainy images. Automotive experts identified the car as an Oldsmobile Alero produced between 1999 and 2003.

Hundreds of leads have been followed by law enforcement in an attempt to arrest those responsible, according to the FBI.

The past decade hasn't been easy for Sylvia Holtzclaw's other son, David, but he remains optimistic that the case will be solved. He is hopeful that something will turn up to give law enforcement the missing piece of the puzzle.

“I am still as strong about getting this solved as I was 10 years ago,” he said. “I haven't given up hope. Some ask me if I think it will be solved, and I can't stop believing that it will be solved.”

David Holtzclaw believes the memorial service could help spark someone's memory about that day. He said someone may not realize the information could be key to discovering what happened. When he thinks about how much technology has advanced to spread information over the past 10 years, he can't help but be optimistic.

“Somebody out there knows something, but they may not be in the state because this bank was close to (Interstate) 85,” he said. “That is the great thing about digital. You can get information on line. It takes getting that one piece of information. It might be a small piece to solve it. There are people working hard on this case, but we need information.”

Things always seem a little brighter for David Holtzclaw every time he hears about a cold case being solved.

“There has been some success with cases from 10 and 15 years ago,” he said. “I hope ours doesn't have to go another 5 or 10 years but when I hear about those cases, it puts some pep in your step. If I woke up and said we are not going to solve this, what would I have.”

For David Holtzclaw and the entire family, it has been difficult coping with what happened. He said they realize solving the case will not bring back his mother or James and Margaret Barnes, but he said they deserve it.

“You continue to move on as the years go by, and you learn to almost deal with it,” he said. “You wake up in the morning, and she is still not here. The unsolved part hasn't gone away. Those three people deserve that. They didn't deserve to die and didn't deserve to be taken out of this world, but they at least deserve that (to have the case solved).”

Greer police hope today's ceremony could help jog someone's memory and encourage them to come forward.

“We need some help from the public,” Arterburn said. “I think there is someone out there who has information. They need to call, tell us was information they have and keep this case alive.”

The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at Greer City Park's Amphitheater, 301 E. Poinsett St. It will be moved to Greer First Baptist Church, 202 W. Poinsett St., if it rains.

“Our priority is to support the families, give them some encouragement and honor the victims' lives,” Greer Police Lt. Matt Hamby said of the service. “We also hope it serves as a good reminder to someone that now is definitely the time to come forward with any information that would help us solve this case.”

Anyone with information may call Greer Police Department dispatch at 864-848-2151 (calls are answered 24 hours a day), Greenville CrimeStoppers at 864-232-7463 or the Greenville FBI office at 864-232-3807. A reward is being offered by CrimeStoppers.